Fernando Alonso will miss the first test of 2013 in Jerez, leaving the new Ferrari to Felipe Massa and Pedro de la Rosa.
Ferrari has opted for continuity – and the chance to give Massa some useful early mileage – by giving him the first three days of the Jerez test. De la Rosa will do the last, primarily to give him experience of the real car before he focuses on the developing the simulator programme.
Alonso will get his chance at the second test in Barcelona, where he will drive for three days before handing over to Massa.
At the second Barcelona test the two drivers will alternate, running two days apiece.
Ferrari also confirmed that the new car’s engine was fired up for the first time yesterday.
Adam Cooper F1 
This seems like a smart move to me. Massa gives the car a shakedown when it is most likely to have problems and they have continuity to judge more effectively how changes made through the test period affect the car.
Well, it also means I’ll have grandstands all to myself, as local fans only come to watch El Terminador. Pdlr’s fan club normally occupies a small portion of the main grandstand but it’s a relief. The best bit of news I’ve heard since a long time.
Is it me or is there a contradiction in the article:
“Alonso will get his chance at the second test in Barcelona, where he will drive for three days before handing over to Massa.
At the second Barcelona test the two drivers will alternate, running two days apiece.”
So will Alonso run 2 or 3 days in Barcelona?
Oh … there are 2 tests in Barcelona, the first one of which will be the second test overall. I guess. Confusing wording 🙂